Policies

Gifts and Donations Policy

Oconto Falls Community Library accepts gifts of money to enhance library services through the provision of additional materials and services, as well as non-cash gifts of books and other materials. The Library Board is empowered by Wisconsin Statute 43.58 to administer gifts that are accepted. Gifts and donations should be complete and may be refused if the expenditure of Library funds is necessary to make the gift usable or they result in ongoing operating costs to the library such as staffing or special maintenance. Any such gift requires Library Board approval for acceptance. The Library Board and/or director will determine the best use for these funds.

Physical Gifts

The Oconto Falls Community Library accepts gifts of books and other physical materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. Gifts are accepted with the provision that they may be disposed of as best meets the needs of the library. This may include additions to the collection, gifts to other libraries in the area, book sales or contributions to local charitable organizations. Physically obsolescent, completely outdated or inappropriate materials are made available for recycling or resale.

Memorial gifts of books are also accepted with suitable stickers or bookplates placed in the book. It is desirable for gifts of or for specific titles to be offered after consultation with the library director. Book selection will be made by the director if no specific book is requested. Specific memorial books can be ordered for the library on request of a patron if the request meets the criteria established by the Board.

By law, the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the items if requested by the donor.

Monetary Memorial Gifts

Monetary gifts are also accepted to be used to enhance the experience of Oconto Falls Library patrons at the discretion of the library director and/or board. The purchase of specifically identified titles or the funding of specifically dictated programs or projects with such funds cannot be guaranteed, nor does the donor have the right of approval of titles, programs or projects before purchase. However, donors are free to recommend subject areas.

Bulletin Board Policy

Community Bulletin Board

Oconto Falls Community Library provides bulletin board space to post information and announcements of interest to the community. Library related materials receive priority, but notices of community affairs will be posted as space permits. The library doesn’t endorse or accept responsibility for the representations or statements made in such materials.

All materials for posting must be submitted to the library director for approval. Permission will not be granted to post notices which do not clearly identify the individual, group, or agency involved, notices of religious services, or notices from political parties. Posters will be limited to 11×17 or smaller and will be dated.

Posters will be removed when event is over or a total of 2 weeks. Cultural events and programs which charge an admission fee and education courses which require tuition payment are not considered commercial. Events such as concerts and lectures which are held in churches are not religious services. Notices from political parties would be any material from organizations which nominate canidates for public office in an election.

Meeting Room Policy

Oconto Falls Community Library Meeting Room Policy

(Revised June 2019)

All meetings held in the library must be arranged in advance. A name and telephone number must be left in case of cancellation, etc. If a group decides to cancel a meeting, please notify library staff. Because of high demand for the Meeting Room, non-profit groups are limited to reserving the room to twice a month up to 3 months.
A representative from the group must sign a copy of this policy acknowledging that the policy has been read and understood. This person would also be responsible for turning out the lights, checking restrooms, securing doors, and returning the key via the drop box.
Refreshments may be served. Limited kitchen facilities, including a coffeepot, is available, and if used, must be cleaned and returned to the proper storage space. The coffeepot and soap are under the sink; towels are located in the top drawer.
Each group will be responsible for setting up chairs, tables, etc. The room must be left in a clean, orderly condition. There is a vacuum cleaner in the storage room adjoining the meeting room. Please remove crumbs and debris from floors and wipe tables.
Maximum seating is 55. Extra chairs can be found in the storage closet which is adjacent to the meeting room.
Non-profit groups may use the room with no charge. Charges for profit making groups or individuals, such as sales, will be $20.00 for the first three hours and $20.00 over three hours to help defray the cost of utilities and supplies. Charges may be waived at the discretion of the library director. If someone wishes exclusive use of the room, it must be scheduled and paid for in advance. Users will be required to disclose the purpose of the meeting. There is no charge for non-profit organizations and the meeting is open and accessible to anyone. Meeting Room use is limited to two times a month up to 3 months in advance with the exception of Library programs.
No smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed at any time.
The meeting room may be used when the library is closed; however, arrangement must be made to pick up the key and receive instructions on locking the door prior to the meeting. If a key is not picked up and staff are called to open or close the library, a charge of $10 will be made.
The library is not responsible for any equipment, supplies, materials, clothing, or other items brought to the library by any group individual attending a meeting.
No property of any organization may be stored in the meeting room or in adjoining storage room.
The representative of the group who signs the policy form will be responsible for keeping order at the meeting, for any damage or breakage of library property and parking issues.
The Library has limited parking. The Library asks that people using the Meeting Room to park on the street. Failure to comply will prevent future use of the meeting room.
The Library Board and staff does not assume any liability for groups or individuals attending a meeting in the library.
Library programming will have first priority in meeting room use.
The fact that a group is allowed the use of the meeting room in no way constitutes an endorsement of the groups’ policies or beliefs.
The Library Board reserves the right to deny the use of the meeting room if the above guidelines are not followed.

Materials Policy

Materials Selection/Collection Development Policy

Revised Aug 2010

A. Objectives

The purpose of the Oconto Falls Community Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.

Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs.

The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.

The Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read has been endorsed by the Oconto Falls Community Library Board of Trustees and are an integral part of the policy.

The Materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.

B. Responsibility for Selection

The Ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Oconto Falls Community Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because the director must be available to answer to the library board and the general public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.

C. Criteria for Selection

The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
1. individual merit of each item
2. popular appeal/demand
3. suitability of material for the clientele
4. existing library holdings
5. budget
Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The primary sources of reviews are Publishers Weekly, Baker and Taylor, Library Journal, Booklist, and CCBC.
The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title which is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests from library patrons and books discussed in public media. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a borrowing privilege available to residents of Oconto County. While not every item will be available, Oconto Falls Community Library does its best to meet the needs of most users. ILL Users must have their account in good standing and may only have 5 ILLs in progress at any one time. This service allows patrons to borrow materials that are not available through Infosoup. This Includes:

Books
Magazine Articles
Videos/DVDs
CDs
Recorded Books
Microfilm from State Historical Society

Loaning Libraries

The main sources of materials are public and academic libraries of Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. These libraries are connected via a van delivery network that runs daily between the states and their hubs.

Materials are not available for ILL:

Items available on InfoSoup
Items published in the previous four months
Videogames, Software
Reference and Genealogy Material- Some specific items may be available to be photocopied
Textbooks
Magazines-Some specific items may be available to be photocopied
Outside of the 4-state van delivery, the Oconto Falls Community Library is responsible for returning items to loaning libraries at our own expense. Due to this, these additional items are not available outside the 4-state area:
Paperbacks/Novels
AV material used for entertainment
Material only available out of the United States
Limited availability in the United States

If Patron still wishes these items, attempt will be made to order and patron must pay shipping costs to return item to owning library

Transit Time

The Oconto Falls Community Library has no control over the length of time it takes for ILL items to arrive. Many variables are involved, such as: availability, lending policies of the loaning libraries and number of libraries that own the item.

Checkout Period

The due date and opportunity for renewal is determined by the loaning library. If a renewal is needed, the request must be made 4 days before the item’s due date. An item may be renewed only once.

Cost of ILL

There is not direct charge to the patron for ILL services (except shipping charges to items not in four state area). Borrowers are responsible for any overdue charges, damages to items, or lost items. Charges for lost or damaged items are determined by the loaning library.

E. Gifts and Donations

The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. If they are not needed because of duplication, condition, or dated information the director can dispose of them as he/she sees fit. The same criteria of selection will be applied to materials purchased as gifts. Memorial gifts of books or money are also accepted with suitable bookplates placed in the book. Specific memorial books can be ordered for the library on request of a patron if the request meets the criteria established by the Board. It is desirable for gifts of or for specific titles to be offered after consultation with the library director. Book selection will be made by the director if no specific book is requested. The Oconto Falls Community Library encourages and appreciates gifts and donations. Historical items donated will be reviewed by the Director and /or Board for acceptance. Historical items loaned to the library for display will be reviewed by the Director and / or Board.

By law, the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the items if requested by the donor.

F. Weeding

An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library director and is authorized by the Board of Trustees. Withdrawn materials will be handled in a similar manner and under the same authority as donated materials.

G. Potential Problems or Challenges

The Oconto Falls Community Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy.

Responsibility for reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come in the possession of children.

Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.

H. Objection Procedure

The Staff member receiving a complaint shall try to resolve the issue formally. The staff should:

Explain the library’s selection procedure, selection criteria, and the qualifications of the persons who made the selection.
Explain the place that the material in in question occupies in the library program and its intended use. Director can be involved at this point.
Keep a written record of the complaint including the name of the complainant, title of the material, description of the complaint and synopsis of the events.
Report the complaint to the Director on the same day it is received.

I. Challenged Materials

Although materials are carefully selected, there can be differences of opinion regarding suitable materials. Patrons requesting that material be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may complete a “statement of Concern About Library Resources” form which is available in the library. The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Oconto Falls Community Library Board of Trustees.

Internet Use Policy

Oconto Falls Community Library Internet Acceptable Use Policy

The Library Board of Oconto Falls Community Library has established this policy to ensure appropriate use of the Internet resources within the library.

The Library has provided workstations for free public access to the internet as an informational, educational, and recreational resource. The Library expects that all use of electronic information resources such as the internet will be responsible and ethical, consistent with the purpose for which these resources are provided. Using resources for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only, not for unauthorized, illegal, or unethical purposes.

Users are required to respect the privacy of others, not misrepresent oneself as another user, not attempt to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others, not seek unauthorized access to any computer system, damage or alter software components of any network or database.
Not make unauthorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data.
Not send, receive, or display text or graphics which may reasonably be construed by Library staff as offensive to the public.
Cannot connect personal laptop to the library network.

Through the internet, access is available to information and ideas that can be personally, professionally, and culturally enriching, but all sources of information are not accurate, complete, or current. The library has no control over, nor does it monitor, or accept responsibility for materials on the internet. The library disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access or use of information obtained through its electronic information systems, or consequences resulting from it. The authority to determine what is illegal content rests with the courts as defined in Wisconsin State and federal laws. If any patron feels that information obtained via library terminals is inaccurate or offensive, they should contact the original producer or distributor of the information.

Users must use the Internet at their own risk, realizing that beyond the library’s home page and supporting documents, they may find material that they consider offensive. The library does not serve in place of a parent and cannot act in the place of a parent in providing supervision of children on the Internet. Parents or guardians are responsible for what minors read or view on the Internet.

Children under the age of 12 must have a parent present when they use the library computers.

Library staff may impose restrictions, such as time limits, on the use of library equipment. While respecting individual users’ right to privacy, Library staff reserves the right to monitor use of Internet workstations to ensure compliance with this policy. Staff may ask users to remove themselves from library equipment if they observe any behavior, which they judge to be in conflict of Internet access privileges. Patrons who are warned about viewing sites offensive to the public may lose internet privileges at Oconto Falls Library and an Internet Revoke message put on their account.

Wireless Internet Accessibility: The Library expects patrons to configure their own equipment and cannot guarantee that you will connect. The Library is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal equipment. WIFI is less secure than a wired network. The Library does not offer laptops or peripheral equipment (wireless network cards, cables, printers, etc) to the public. Staff may require patrons who fail to comply with the library’s Internet Policy to terminate their wireless session and leave the Library building.

Revised: April 11, 2007
Revised January 23, 2009
Revised June 2, 2014
Revised April 24,2017

Adopted by the Oconto Falls Community Library Board March 21, 2004

Circulation Policy

Title Circulation Policy

Effective Date: June 14, 2010

Authorized by: Oconto falls Community Library Board

Library Cards will be issued to new applicants when they register, there will be no waiting period. However, identification accepted must be a Wisconsin state issued I.D. or Wisconsin state issued driver’s license with current address. If not current address, a piece of mail must be submitted with current address. The envelope must have come through the mail; post marked and is mailed from a utility, bank or is a bill. If the person does not have any mail, a community card will be issued limiting the number of items they can check out to 3 and the card will be mailed to them. If patron just wants to use the computer, a computer pass can be issued as long as patron does not have an account from another library with fines over $5.00.
Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to obtain a library card. No application cards will be given to children to be filled out at home.
Children under the age of 7 will not be issued their own library card, but may borrow books using the card of another family member. Library materials cannot be checked out without a valid library card or picture I.D. If a card is lost or misplaced, it must be reported to a Staff person, Patron can continue to look for library card and use a picture I.D. until it is deemed lost and new card issued. There will be a $3.00 charge for the replacement card.
Library cards are renewed every year. Cards will not be renewed for a patron if they have library materials overdue or owe a fine, until the matter is resolved.
The loan period for Library materials will be determined by the Librarian, with direction from the Library Staff and will be in accordance with borrowing procedures of OWLSNET.
Interlibrary loan material is due on the date indicated by the lending library. In special cases, an attempt may be made to extend the loan period.
Some reference books, automotive books, plat books, yearbooks and local history material are be restricted to in-house use only. Magazines have no check-out restrictions.
Most library materials, with some exceptions, may be renewed, unless it is high demand or set to Library Use Only. Materials may be renewed by person, telephone or if the patron uses InfoSoup.
The library limits the number of items to be checked out to 50 maximum. A limit of 10 DVDs, videos and games are included in the 50 that a patron may borrow at the time. The librarian reserves the right to limit the number of items that a person can check out if the library has had difficulty in retrieving overdue or billed items.
Reserves may be placed on material, either by telephone or in person, and patrons will be notified by mail, email or phone when material is available. There is no charge for reserving library material.
There will be a fine for any library material which is not returned on due date. The amount of the fine is determined by the Library Board. Patrons are encouraged to sign up for email or text notifications to receive notices of overdue material. The patron will be mailed the second overdue notice, called on first bill and week later a bill will be sent. Bills will be generated by the owning library, not the library that the patron has checked the material out from. If there is no response, and the amount totals more than $50.00, the library will take legal action to recover materials. The Owlsnet Consortium, of which Oconto Falls is a member, has partnered with a collection agency to retrieve material and fines. After 120 days, if the collection agency has not succeeded, a court order will be issued and the patron account turned over to the police. If patron has a history of overdue materials or the need of intervention by collection agency or police to retrieve materials, the Director has the authority to reduce the number of items the person can check out.
The Library must be compensated for any materials that are damaged so badly as to be judged unsuitable, in the opinion of the Librarian, for the collection. These materials must be paid for at the replacement cost, plus a fee for processing.
All materials in the library relating to registration and the subsequent circulation of materials are considered to be confidential in nature. A valid court order must be presented to the librarian and/ or board in order to examine any records. This is to prevent an unreasonable invasion of privacy to Library Patrons.
DVDs will not be checked out to anyone 16 or younger.
Family Members will be allowed to pick up other family members hold items. Anyone under the age of 16 will be allow to pickup DVDs that are on hold shelf only for other family members.

Policy updated Feb 13, 2012

Revised June 2, 2014